Republicans begin process to sanction state party

Washington, DC – Republican Party leaders have recommendedpunishing five states for shifting their nomination contestsearlier. They're moving to strip New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina,Michigan and Wyoming of half their delegates. South Carolina is considering legal action in an effort to keepits delegates to next year's Republican National Convention. Under the RNC's action, Florida would lose 57 delegates,Michigan 30, South Carolina 23, Wyoming 14 and New Hampshire 12. The party's rules ban holding votes before February Fifth. The proposal now goes to the full RNC, which will vote on arecommendation to its chairman, Mike Duncan, following stateelections in November. Duncan has the final say.